rry for it! Aha, Master Franklin, 'twill take no gazing in the
crystal to see that the future of a wise and industrious lad is made of
gold. What's that you're carrying as carefully as if 'twas your book?

FRANKLIN
(dropping book and basket, and showing kite).
My kite. To-day was a half-holiday, and I've been flying it on Beacon
Hill till the wind hath made me sleepy.

THE OLD WOMAN
(keenly).
You've fastened a little key to it.

FRANKLIN
(with a burst of candor).
Sometimes I think I'll fly it in a thunderstorm and gather up the
lightning.

THE OLD WOMAN
(tapping the ground vigorously with her cane).
Those are bold words, Master Benjamin Franklin. Are you not feared to
speak them? (Looks half-fearfully over her left shoulder.) Folk might
think you were in league with--with strange powers! (There is a touch
of the eighteenth-century beldame in her as she speaks these words).

FRANKLIN.
How is it that you know my name, and yet I do not remember you?

THE OLD WOMAN
(mysteriously).
Perhaps there are too many soothsayers passing, or perhaps you have not
looked well about you. Aha, aha! (Nodding and blinking.) There are many
things folk do not see.

FRANKLIN
(shrewdly and bluntly).
That's true. My father says that _all_ the witches were not hanged on
Salem Hill.

THE OLD WOMAN(finger upraised).
S-ssh! Never that word! Never that word, Master Franklin! Come, I am
for crossing the Common, and for your good-will, and because you are a
wise lad, I'll lend you my crystal.

[Gives it to him.

FRANKLIN
(putting book in basket with candles, and turning crystal to the
light).
How it shines in the sun!

THE OLD WOMAN
(with cane upraised and wand-like for a moment).
Look in it. Look deep in it. 'Twill give you dreams, Master Franklin,
all good, good dreams. Dreams o' the future, Master Franklin!

[Franklin stands still in background, looking at the crystal as the Old
Woman goes on her way. The branches of the trees under which he stands
cast wavering shadows about him. It is cool after the glare of the sun.
He yawns, stretches, and throws himself at foot of tree.

FRANKLIN
(musing aloud).
Of all the strange old women! (Looks at crystal again.) A pretty toy,
truly! All--shining--in--the--sun------ (Falls asleep.)

THE OLD WOMAN
(stealing back for a moment out of background, and raising cane as
before).
Dream! Dream deep!

[Tosses over him half of her double cloak, then makes her exit into
background, wit